From: owner-lostholt-l@murkworks.net on behalf of Strongbow [strongbow34@hotmail.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 6:19 PM To: lostholt-l@murkworks.net Subject: [lostholt-l] Scene by the tree This one's got a group of elves around the Father Tree, and a bit of discussion takes place about recent things. =================================== Base of the Lost Holt Father Tree A dense grove of grotesquely shaped trees dominated by one immense Grandfather of a tree whose age is no less great than its size. It is obvious that the old tree has survived a terrible tragedy but new growth and thick strong branches cover the worst of the scars left by the terrible blaze. Weeds and night blooming wildflowers grow in a riot of natural disorder around the trees roots, taking advantage of the NewGreen warmth. Like old friends, the gnarled trees embrace one another, their many branches entwining to form a dense canopy high above the ground. As the daystar sets the air turns chilly in the NewGreen evening. Contents: StormTossed Clover Obvious exits: Into the Tree Around the Tree Clearing Clover's eyes nearly glow, she's never been to the sea. "Is it nice there?" StormTossed nods. "Oh yes. It's wonderful." She sighs slightly. "I miss it. I think maybe that's where we'll go next. The water is so cool...." Strongbow exits the Father Tree, eyes scanning the small clearing around it as he pauses to take a look around at who's gathered here. Yawning, he rubs a side. Clover is perched up on a root, near StormTossed. She's twining a piece of leather around her finger, conversing with the Trader Chieftess. A warm smile tugs at her lips. "It sounds beautiful." StormTossed grins. " You could come with us, if you like. We like traveling companions." ** Going to leave so soon? ** the archer wonders, perhaps misunderstanding some of what the two she-elves are talking about. It hasn't been -that- long since Clover arrived here, helped by Flashfire. Speaking of which, the fuzzy cub (everyone's a cub to Strongbow) isn't back yet. Bramble has connected. Clover lifts her head, eyes widening a little. "Oh, heyla." Her smile slips in place, bright and warming. "I don't know, StormTossed. I am waiting for Flashfire to come back." StormTossed nods to Clover and mmms. "He'll be back soon, I'm sure. These things take time to work out sometimes." She smiles at Strongbow. "Well, we need to leave soon anyway. " Strongbow's thoughts have settled on Flashfire more than once since he departed with Dewshine, concern over their safety evident from the watchful Wolfrider. He doesn't like the threat of trouble to anyone in the pack, period. Might have a hard shell, but he's fiercely protective of those important to him. ** They do, sometimes. Just can't shake the bad feeling I've got. ** he explains, shaking his head. He came out to relax. The weather's nice. StormTossed mmms, "Bad feeling?" Ooh, she doesn't like those. "Well, if you're worried, we could always go that way. The Traders. We could check on him." Bramble isn't as quiet on her feet as she used to be, but even though she's pregnant she is still a wolfrider, so she does lumber quietly into sight after taking a nice walk around the holt to get exercise. She grins at those elves who weren't in the clearing when she left. "Heyla." Clover's eyes flicker from Strongbow to StormTossed. She wouldn't have a clue on what is difficult, with exception of the Recognized fluttering up in the air and disappearing. She smiles again, though, and waves at Bramble. "Heyla." Calmwind has arrived. ** The Gliders aren't known for their tolerance and hospitality of our kind. ** Strongbow tells Clover, perhaps picking up on her possible confusion. ** Winnowill, especially. ** he adds, the tone of the send clearly suspicious. It's dismissed easily enough - he's confident that if there is trouble, it will be dealt with in one way or another. ** If you do go that way, trader, any information would be helpful. ** Bramble's entrance is noted and the archer flits a silent greeting her way, taking stock of the shape of her belly. It won't be much longer. Calmwind wanders under the Father Tree. For once, he has no drum at his side; his hands are clasped behind his back as he steps around the tree and he seems well-pleased by something. "Oh." Clover tucks her knees up under her chin, digesting that piece of news. StormTossed looks at Clover and lays a hand on her shoulder. "If you want to come with us. . ." Bramble finds a nice tree to lean against, while still remaining standing. The conversation has turned to the fuzzy elf again, it seems. Looks like everybody's worried about him. Bramble's no exception, and she frowns, but doesn't offer a comment. Strongbow won't be keeping anyone from going anywhere. He learned long ago, with Dart, that in spite of ones own wishes, sometimes you have to let another elf go his own way. The tall Lostholter takes a seat on a root, adding nothing more to the discussion of missing elves. Nice weather, he thinks, but doesn't say. Clover considers, turning her head to look at StormTossed. "You will go that way?" She's not sure what she'll do, when she get there though. StormTossed nods. "We can. Haven't decided where to go yet." She looks at Bramble and mmms. "Are you okay?" Bramble rolls her shoulders, and presses a hand to the small of her back, "Who wouldn't be okay. Winter's over, Spring is here. I can finally get some exercise again without worrying about slipping on a patch of ice." Okay there's the extra weight she's carrying around, but all things considered Bramble's in a fine mood. StormTossed grins slightly. "Well, I was thinking in terms of this fish my Mother left. Or something to sit on?" With Shenshen here, Bramble should be in good hands when it comes time for the birthing, that's for certain. Strongbow leans back into the root as his eyes drift closed. Peaceful. Quiet. Nice. It's easy to just listen to the other conversations. Clover beams a bright smile towards the lifebearer, relaxing slightly as the topic changes. Untwining the leather strip from her finger, she discovers she cut off circulation there. How silly. Rubbing her hands, she works the circulation back in to the finger. Calmwind spreads his palms behind him on the trunk of the tree as he leans back against it. Then he bounces forward, balancing on the tips of his toes for a moment and flashing a bright smile at Clover before falling in an apparent tangle of limbs to the ground to end up sitting with his legs crossed. Bramble chuckles and shakes her head at Stormtossed. "I'm fine. Its nice to stand up and stretch, and I'm not hungry right now." She chuckles. "Managed to catch a lazy ravvit on my walk." She may be big, but she apparently still hasn't lost it. Then she peers at Calmwind, what is he doing? Clover giggles, her whole face breaking in to a bright smile. Her eyes shine with laughter, all dark thoughts forgotten for the moment. "Heyla." she says, towards Calmwind. He is funny. Strongbow cracks an eye open as Calmwind does whatever it is he's doing, only seeing him in that seated position by the time his attention shifts. He grunts, settling in again as he sticks a long blade of grass in his mouth, chewing on it idly. Calmwind grins foolishly at Bramble's look. "You said it. It's spring!" He turns his gaze to Clover, pleased by her smile and waves his fingers at her. "Heyla." StormTossed mmms, looking at the chipper one with a grin. Oh dear. "Feeling bouncy, are you?" Clover believes she can do that, too. Scooting off the root, she removes and sets aside the all too warm fur-vest she's wearing. How did he do this again? Her legs go this way and that, then she topples over on StormTossed with a bright laughter. "Oh, I am sorry!" StormTossed acks and gets toppled. Hmp. This girl's been taking lessons from Darktruth, if you ask her. Now both of Strongbow's eyes open as he hears more shuffling about and sounds of, well, whatever they are. Got some clumsy elves in these parts today. ** Careful, you two.. ** he sends, almost chuckling. Bramble knows she couldn't do that, not now with her center of gravity shifted, but Clover's attempt starts her chuckling. "Watch it." StormTossed hmps and props herself up on her elbows. **Having fun? <>** Calmwind laughs outright. ** Sometimes it's useful to sit down very quickly! And to get up again just as quickly. ** And lickety-split, he bounces to his feet again, hopping towards Clover. Clover giggles and works herself back up, brushing her skirts. Her eyes widens, and would take a step back as Calmwind is suddenly hopping towards her. But as it is, the root is there and instead she goes toppling backwards now. Her cheeks burn. She's not usually this clumsy! So much for all elves being on the graceful side. Strongbow's seen enough evidence against that notion in the last few seconds to last him the rest of his mortal life. Shaking his head, he stands back up to stretch. Is that a chuckle, this time? Nah, couldn't have been. Not from him. Bramble isn't keeping herself from giggling, only stopping and gasping once when the cub kicks her. Calmwind almost trips over Clover as she's blushing but catches himself. It's hard to tell if his clumsiness is contrived or accidental as he wavers on one foot back and forth, like a drunk dancer, until at last he crouches and extends a hand to Clover, a self-mockingly sober expression on his face. Clover looks down, then takes the offered hand. "I didn't think it was that close." she murmurs, her face still flushing, but her eyes sparkling with laughter. When she moves up on her feet, it is with far more grace then she's displayed within the last breaths. Smiling brightly, she shakes herself off. Then she bursts into giggles again, at Calmwind's expression. Calmwind smiles crookedly as he releases Clover's hand. Then he hops backward. "On my way through, really. Must be going!" Strongbow continues to, well, observe, good at that right now. There's just nothing he has to discuss, and he's not much for conversations anyway. Clover giggles and goes for a seat, seating herself normally this time. Her smile flashes at StormTossed, before she waves to Calmwind. "Stay on your feet." StormTossed mms and straightens herself up. Silly pips, always soo much energy. Could be one reason Strongbow's stayed out of the playing. Not that he's too old or anything, because he certainly isn't. He's just not the type to play just for the sake of playing. ** Enjoying yourselves? ** Calmwind tosses a secret grin at Strongbow as he heads out. ** More than ever... ** and then he vanishes behind the tree again. Clover smiles brightly and leans against StormTossed, nodding enthusiastically towards Strongbow. "Mmmhmm." StormTossed grins and tugs at Clover's hair playfully. **You're a pip, still. You can get away with acting like a spring-mad ravvit** Strongbow just shakes his head, that much already evident, of course. ** Just be careful. No sense in wasting Leetah's talents over a scrap. ** That, of course, meaning rough-housing. An eyebrow raises faintly as he watches StormTossed and Clover. He'd seen how Flashfire and Clover would chase each other. Bramble grins, "I don't know. Sometimes even the oldest elves can go a little spring-mad after being cooped up all whitecold." Not that Bramble falls into that category, she's young enough to be spring-mad all the time. Clover laughs brightly, her head following as her hair is tugged at. "I'm no pip, really. Young, aye, but no pip. Is that what you call the cubs?" StormTossed nods. "It is. Pips." She grins and tweaks Clover's nose. "Like you." Ah, cubs. They get into so much, don't they? The archer glances up into the father tree, perhaps communicating briefly with Moonshade, perhaps not. Could be anything, really. ** Just remember, watch it so you don't make too much noise. ** Hopefully they've all been made aware of the ever-possible threat of humans. Best not to give any signs. StormTossed smirks. "I don't know if Clover knows how to be quiet." She peers into the younger elf's eyes and grins. "Do you?" Clover bats at StormTossed's hand, shifting around to curl her legs underneath herself. She giggles at Strongbow, misunderstanding the need for quiet. "I'm not a cub." she says again, turning to look at StormTossed. Her eyes brightens and dance with mirth. "Only if I have to be." Strongbow offers a nod of understanding to both Clover and StormTossed, though it's more to the former than the latter. ** So long as you know. ** That cleared up, he sits down again, tugging at one of his high stockings. StormTossed props her head on Clovers and grins. Oh dear, it's that look she gets when she's tormenting her mother, only. .no Darktruth in sight. Clover just giggles, eyes gleaming after a send. Her hands go up, and arms loop around StormTossed's neck. "You look like a wolf up to mischief." Strongbow sends openly ** She always looks like that. <> ** Bramble cough chuckles, "And she always seems to be up to mischief." StormTossed looks innocent...for about three seconds. Then she grins. "Well, if you can't enjoy life, there's not much point in living, is there?" Clover laughs and brings a handful of hair, as she let's her hands slide back forward. "I think that is a very good rule." Strongbow yawns, possibly bored? Doesn't feel like hunting right now, and his bow is just fine. So are his arrows. There's a hint of agreement that surfaces at StormTossed's words, the archer unwrapping the leather around his wrists before redoing them again. StormTossed mmms, looking over at Strongbow. Mischief. Someone needs mischief. Clover's gaze follows Stormtossed's, unlike hers, Clover's smile is bright and sweet. She couldn't ever be mischievous, could she? Strongbow's brow lifts again as StormTossed and Clover eye him. Well, then. Bramble stays out of this. Not that she isn't of an inclination to join in, but she has the cub to think about now. Clover looks back at StormTossed, smiling beatifically all of a sudden. StormTossed smiles at Strongbow and drums her fingers on poor Clover's head. She's not doing anything. Not here. Never. Strongbow doesn't exactly return the smile, but he's not known for being one to grin a whole lot. Doesn't take too much for him to figure out that, perhaps, something's afoot. Let's just wait and see. The brow goes up just a little further. Clover looks up, trying to see through her bangs at the tapping fingers. After a moment of consideration, she moves her hands to StormTossed's ribs and tickles her. Naeblis walks up to the Father Tree from the clearing. Bramble chuckles, even if she can't initiate mischief there seems to be enough of it running around anyways. Strongbow's seated on a root, relaxing, really. Got a blade of grass in his mouth and he shifts to tug on the other stocking, having fixed something on the first already. Eyeing StormTossed and Clover partially, he seems to be waiting to see what, if anything, they do. Clover sits up and beams a pretty smile towards Strongbow. She's not planning anything, honestly. Bapping StormTossed's hand off her head, she rises to her feet and brushes her bottom off, then finds her fur-vest. "I think I will go for a walk." ** Watch your step, then. ** Strongbow sends to Clover, staying put in his rather comfortable spot. He doesn't forget the stumbling she did earlier with the others. A quiet shadow approaches the Father Tree from the southern clearing. Naeblis walks with a slow, measured stride, but to those familiar with the surface, this tall elf is obviously not of it. The Underworlder is cloaked and masked, but he almost seems more intent on the Father Tree, than on those nearby. Bramble lifts her head to give Clover a farewell, but then on the wind, she scents something. Oh, she had heard the were other underworlders visiting. She frowns, and folds her arms. Not willing to take the easy route and slip out before he gets her she continues to lean against her tree. But if she goes unnoticed, she won't complain. Clover giggles and smiles to Strongbow. "I will try." She too, scents something. But decides she's had enough excitement and slips around the tree. Clover walks around to the back of the Father Tree. Strongbow's chin lifts as the scent of the Underworlder drifts his way, good mood disappearing in the blink of an eye as a scowl sets in place. Cursed wormworlders, all of them. No greeting, no farewell - the archer simply rises to his feet and makes his way elsewhere after disappearing into the tree for his bow and a quiver of arrows. Cutter himself said to avoid the Underworlders if there was any danger of confrontation, and if any of the Lostholt elves would be likely to get into it with one of them, it's Strongbow. Into the forest he goes, silent.